CBI quizzes Mumbai model for links with AT Group

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today quizzed a Mumbai-based model and television serial co-producer Preeti Bhatia for her alleged links with the scam tainted chit fund firm, Artha Tatwa (AT) Group and its chief, Pradeep Sethy.

The model was interrogated by the investigating agency for more than two hours.

Bhatia, Sethy and Indu Dewan are active directors in a company called Prismheights Films & Entertainment Pvt Ltd having Corporate Identification Number (CIN)U92100MH2010PTC199119, registered with the Registrar of Companies in 2010. Sources said, CBI had raided the model's residence in Mumbai last month.

In a related development, the Odisha State Bar Council has flayed the arrest of the former Advocate General of the state, Ashok Mohanty for his alleged links with the AT Group which has duped investors of crores of rupees.

Mohanty was under scanner for buying a two storied house in Cuttack from Sethy for an amount of Rs 1.01 crore. During his interrogation on September 13 this year, a day after his resignation from the post of Advocate General was accepted by the government, Mohanty could show payment of Rs 70 lakh to Sethy through cheques, while he could not explain to the satisfaction of CBI sleuths about the payment of the rest Rs 30 lakh.

"The house bought by him (Mohanty) is not listed in the AT Group's property list. He has bought the house on individual capacity from Pradeep Sethy," said Manas Ranjan Mohapatra, chairman of the State Bar Council.

The Bar council will move the special CJM court for granting bail to the former Advocate General. "If the original court denies (bail), we will progressively move the district sessions court, High Court and Supreme Court," he added.

The special CBI court on Monday had allowed CBI to take the former Advocate General on remand for two days in connection with the chit fund scam.